If you are going to create a CD with your CD-RW then I suggest that the first thing you do is to create a folder in My Documents in which you put all of the files you intend to put onto the CD.

Call the folder whatever you like and then copy and paste all of the files into this folder before you even open up the CD copying program. When it comes to the time to add the files to the list for copying you will see how much quicker it is to have them all in one folder which is conveniently placed.

I use the "Record Now" copying program, although there are many available on the market. Some are easier than others to understand, but I find "Record Now" so easy to use and my information will be about this particular program. If you have another version of a copying program, I'm sure the on-screen information is as easy to follow as "Record Now".

Three simple steps! Select the type of CD you want to create. Load your files. Burn your copy!

Making an exact copy is straightforward. "Record Now" spells it out quite clearly how to do it. Creating a Data CD is simple, and if you right-click on your newly-created folder in your My Documents and check the size of it in Properties, you will know if it is able to fit on the CD.

Making a music CD  is not difficult either. If you are going to use audio files from your PC then simply choose that option. If and when the program offers to search for music files on your system, tell it "No", because you have already placed them in an easy-to-reach folder in My Documents...... Haven't you?

When you press Browse, you will see why I suggested My Documents as a place to create the folder. It is top of the list, and you haven't got to go hunting for your music files. You open this folder and either add individual files or highlight the lot and press Add.  Don't worry about whether or not all of the files will fit on the CD because the program will tell you if you have reached the limit.

All you need do now, if you want to, is arrange the order in which they will play by highlighting a track and using the Up & Down arrows to position it where you want it. That's all there is to it! Press 'Next' and leave everything alone until the program has finished. The process of burning is a very sensitive one, so don't use the PC for anything while it is doing it.

If you receive an error message that your PC doesn't have a CD copier and you know very well there is, chances are you need to enable copying. Open Windows Explorer, right click on your CD-RW drive and choose Properties, and then click on the Recording tab. Put a tick in the box shown in the photo, press Apply & OK, and that should sort it for you. If not, email me.

Happy Listening!